Press release from the Institute on Religion and Public Policy

[11-22-04]

Washington, D.C. - A coalition of religious leaders, religious freedom advocates, and human rights activists has called on President George W. Bush to act swiftly and appropriately in regard to Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam as newly-designated "Countries of Particular Concern for Severe Violations of Religious Freedom."

"The President is called upon by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to set in place within 90 days of designation as a CPC one or more of the fifteen suggested actions according to Section 402 of the Act," stated Joseph K. Grieboski, President of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, which circulated the letter. "The President has an extraordinary and historic opportunity to demonstrate that the United States is interested in acting on religious freedom as well as speaking about it."

As the 90 day deadline approaches, the letter pointed out to President Bush that, "this is the first time since the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998 that states have been designated as CPC that have not already been 'sanctioned' by the United States."

"We implore you to apply the values of freedom of religious belief and expression in our foreign policy and approach Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam with appropriate presidential response and congressional intent mandated by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998," the letter continued.

Copies of the letter are available from the Institute on Religion and Public Policy on its website at www.religionandpolicy.org or by calling 202-835-8760.

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Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory
Director, Washington Office
Presbyterian Church (USA)
202-543-1126
110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 104
Washington, DC 20002